New evidence has emerged revealing that both Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knew that reported sudden acceleration incidents were linked to a glitch in the vehicles’ electronic system.

In August 2002, Toyota Motor Corp. issued a Technical Service Bulletin warning every dealership in the country that Camrys were reportedly surging out of control and that recommended adjustments to the electronic controls could fix the problem. Toyota also sent the bulletin to NHTSA, which issued an internal memo acknowledging Toyota unintended acceleration (UA) in 2002 and 2003 Camrys. The document was never made public until a group of attorneys submitted a copy of it to CNN. The memo states, “The percentage of incidents that resulted in a crash is high.”

When CNN obtained to the document, it turned to the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety (CAS) for an assessment. According to Clarence Ditlow, the Executive Director of CAS, the document does not address any mechanical defects that could cause the problem.

“If you look at this document it says electronics. It says the fix is reprogramming the computer,” Ditlow told CNN.

“It doesn’t say anything about floor mats,” he added.

The electronic defect at the center of the memo never led to a recall of Camrys or other Toyota models.

Instead, according to Ditlow, apparently Toyota and NHTSA conspired to keep the document hidden from the public’s attention.

“The government is really hiding this information from the consumer,” Ditlow told CNN. “They’re in a conspiracy with the auto industry to keep these out of the public’s sight.”

But if Toyota knew what was causing its cars to accelerate suddenly and unintentionally, why didn’t it issue a recall, especially if the solution was a simple fix? Because the repair, though easy to make, would have cost about $500 per vehicle. Applied to millions of cars nationwide, that translates to somewhere between $4 billion and $5 billion dollars.

Toyota issued a strong statement in response to the allegations in the CNN report, denying that Toyota hid the memo to protect its profits.

We're here to help!

We live by our creed of “helping those who need it most” and have helped thousands of clients get the justice they desperately needed and deserved. If you feel you have a case or just have questions please contact us for a free consultation. There is no risk and no fees unless we win for you.

Excellent law firm

Beasley Allen is an excellent law firm. I highly recommend their services.

—William M.

Stay Up On The Latest News

Receive important legal news and opinions from some of the leading
attorneys in civil litigation. From our monthly newsletter and
Jere Beasley Report to emerging legal news, you can be in the know
and on the leading edge. Simply click the link below to sign up.
It is fast, easy and secure. We will never share your info …
period.